No7 returning to work with confidence event feedback thread - non-attendees, tell us what makes you confident every day - win a No7 hamper NOW CLOSED

[AmeliaMumsnet]

This thread is for the 100 MNers and bloggers who attended the No7 returning to work with confidence event on Monday 27th March. Thanks so much for coming along, we hope you enjoyed it! The event was all about “returning to work with confidence” and was for those parents who had either recently gone back to work after a break for children or who are planning a return.

You can view our Facebook Live Stream here

Here’s what No7 had to say about the event:

"At No7 we believe that when a woman feels in control she has the confidence to go out and do anything and so we are delighted to have the opportunity to support MNers and bloggers who are returning to work. We know that beauty for many women is about more than looking pretty which is why we’d love to give MNers the chance to hear from some inspirational women on how they faced getting back in to the workplace as well as share some top tips from our No7 advisers on quick ways to get their make up just right - especially in those early days back at work when you're juggling a million things at once and getting into a new routine."

Attendees:
Below are a few feedback questions for you to answer - if you have any more comments, please feel free to add them to your response. Do share your story using #No7Ready. If you are a blogger, we'd love to see you post a link to your blog post on this thread.

Why did you want to attend the event? What’s your current working status?
What did you learn from the event?
What did you enjoy about it?
Did it inspire you/give you confidence? If yes, in what ways?

All those who share feedback will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will win a £300 Boots voucher. We'd also love attendees to share their thoughts on social media using #No7Ready.

Non attendees:
To be in with a chance of winning a No7 hamper (worth £150), please tell us what makes you feel confident every day. This can be literally anything at all, even if it’s a very small thing such as your morning coffee to wake you up! Everyone who does so will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win the goodies!

Thanks, and good luck with the prize draws!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[Funkyferret]

Non-attendee.
For me, a bright red lipstick gives me confidence. I know I'm really lucky in that it's a colour that suits me which gives me that little lift.

[user1486895041]

Non attendee.
I am only 27 but hate my grey hairs (probably from having 3 children under 5!) and they make me feel really insecure. I go to the hairdressers every 4/5 months to get my hair dyed but my hair grows so fast that within a few weeks, I can start to see them coming through again. I recently bought the L'oreal Paris Magic Retouch Instant Root Concealer Spray in dark brown and what a difference it makes! You spray it on your grey roots and it covers them instantly - it makes me feel so much more confident!

[emmav6]

non attendee - little things like when someone smiles at you or gives you a compliment

[TalesOfStepford]

Non-attandee here. I have a little bag of things that I pack into my handbag each time I start a new job (I'm freelance so this happens a lot, and I'm nervous every time!). I did this when I went back to work after having my first baby and then my second. It contains lip balm, hand cream, Berocca, painkillers, a tester sized perfume, hair bands, chewing gum and a lovely pen. These things somehow make me feel together and organised which helps with the transition of starting a new job. I've often thought that those things would make a really nice gift for a mum going back to work.

[kathrob]

I didn`t attend the conference. I gain confidence by putting my makeup on every morning and then I feel ready to face the world

[ninamotylinski]

Putting my make up on, I am ready to face the world!

[towser44]

Random I know, but a shower! Always feel so much better after a morning shower!

[mamof3boys]

What makes me feel confident is looking at my children and seeing what I've achieved as a mother.

[MSHGW]

Getting enough sleep!

[seeingdouble2]

Mine is my No7 oily cleansing water, perfect base for my make up takes the shine away with out making my face feel dry.

[pfcpompeysarah]

Non attendee - what makes me feel confident, as someone who doesn't wear much makeup, is just a little bit of blusher in the morning before I leave the house, it makes me feel better and look 'alive'.

[buckley1983]

Non-attendee here, but have enjoyed reading the experiences here of those who did attend :)
What gives me confidence at work (& in life generally) is to greet everything & everyone with a smile. I know this absolutely oozes with cheese, but it's true. I work with some hard to engage people, & have to have some difficult conversations - but if I can pave the way by putting someone at their ease by smiling, it definitely helps.
I also rely on Cocoa Butter Vaseline Lip Balm & Airwaves chewing gum, have done since school!!
:)

[izbiz1988]

I used to think that all of my confidence was kept inside my make-up bag, but more recently I've realised it's as much about health as anything else. I've definitely noticed that when I'm eating well and getting daily exercise, not only do I feel good due to the physical effects (feeling slimmer, better skin, etc), but I generally feel happier, healthier and more confident.

[raeray]

Attendee here!

Why did you want to attend the event?
To see what advice they had to offer on building confidence after time away from work. I also really like no7 so this also made me want to attend.

What’s your current working status?
I work full time.

What did you learn from the event?
That lots of people are in the same boat, whether that be returning from mat leave or sickness or a period of time out of work for another reason. Everyone is trying to do their thing in all different circumstances. In my stressed current place in life, this was reassuring and really helpful!

What did you enjoy about it?
Everything really, I unfortunately couldn't stay for the food and makeovers but the panel were interesting and varied and enjoyed listening to their stories. Loved my goodie bag - I can't wait to go and pick up my foundation. I've always been tempted to try the colour match service so now I def will.

Did it inspire you/give you confidence? If yes, in what ways?
It gave me confidence in the fact of getting out, meeting new people and hearing advice from panel.
My new make up gave me a boost and a smile too - everyone loves a freebie!

Thanks so much for letting me come, I look forward to going to another event in the future.

[Emski33]

My concealer to cover up my red cheeks

[kerryv]

Having my nails painted makes me feel great.

[hmariez]

A gym session or a compliment from my husband (which is very rare)

[beeelaine]

Non Attendee. After our son was born i really did not feel confident with all the body changes and returning to work part time after a break. I used to work full time before he was born and took everything in my stride. What makes me more confident now is to be more organised - when things are planned I feel I have more control over things and can cope with the odd mishaps that life throws at me, that and also lots and lots of mascara - i wear it like its a shield from all things negative!

[moosexxx]

For me confidence comes from feeling well, being happy with my self, and knowing what I am doing.

[WheresTheCoffee]

Non attendee
What makes me feel confident is clothes that fit well and not running late and arriving calmly.

[freefan]

Non Attendee

I feel confident knowing that my children have left for school and the childminders well dressed and with a good breakfast,and I am in clean clothes and looking the best I can despite being up during the night

[childmaintenanceserviceinquiry]

Attendee.

Why did you want to attend the event? I returned to work in the autumn after a long career break and wanted to see how others in the same situation had found it.

What’s your current working status? Starting a new part-time job in the next month in a different sector.

What did you learn from the event? Ask for help!

What did you enjoy about it? I loved meeting other Mumsnetters - talked to a few lovely ladies!

Did it inspire you/give you confidence? If yes, in what ways? Yes, just being in a new situation and being able to have fun!

[clareycat]

A good nights sleep & a pair of heels

[bettythebuilder]

I didn't attend the conference. What makes me confident every day is an aromatherapy perfume/scent. It helps reduce my anxiety.